


We Mortals 











A Play in 
Three Acts by 

M. SALMONSEN 

Author of 
"From the Marriage 
License Window" 



*?• 



^^^^^^^^P^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^v^^v^^v^^v^^v^^v) 



WE MORTALS 



A PLAY IN THREE ACTS 
BY M, SALMONSEN X X 
AUTHOR -OF "FROM THE 
MARRIAGE LICENSE WIN/ 
DOW" X X X X X X 



fP 



CHICAGO 

The J. M. W, Jones Stationery and Printing Co 

Nnvsm^i- 1KQ7 



November, 1897 



LIBRARY ot" CONGRESS 
Two Gooies Received 

JUN 18 1904 
Copyright Entry 

^0^6x5 v 

COPY B 





X 

Entered According to Act of Congress in the Year 1897 

By M. SALMONSEN 

Fight of Translation Reserved 



KNOX, 

CLARA, 

MARIE, 

RAY, 

PRATT, 

GEORGE, 

Mrs. HILL, 

LOYEJOY, 



®ije ffia*t 

a Retired Merchant 

His Daughter 

His Housekeeper 

an Artist 

a Business Man 

His Son 

a Widow 

a Justice of the Peace 



FIRST ACT. 



Sitting- room in Knox's house. The furniture is rich and 
elegant. A large anmchair on each side of the center table. 
An easel with a picture of Mr. Knox is placed to the right. 
Knox, a man about fifty, and Mrs. Hill, a widow of about 
thirty-five, enter through the middle door. He is dressed in 
a dark suit, and she in a dress of dark colors. 



Me. Knox. 

No, my dear madam, I cannot allow you 
to leave us so soon. You have only been 
here two weeks. You certainly must pro- 
long your visit — I insist upon it. 

Mrs. Hill 

I shall have to leave, Mr. Knox; you know 
I intend to move, and there are so many 
details to be looked after. 

Mr. Knox. 

If I had known, I should not have hurried 
so in winding up the estate of your deceased 
husband. 



Mrs. Hill. 

Yes, you would. I am exceedingly thank- 
ful to you for your great help. I really do not 
know what I should have done without you. 
I shall never be able to repay you. 

Mr. Knox. 

Oh, don't mention it. I would like you 
to stay a few days longer that you may wit- 
ness a little celebration in our family. 

Mrs. Hill 

(hurriedly). 

Is it your birthday? 

Mr. Knox 

(looking around to see that no one is near). 

No. A young man will arrive here to-day 
with his father. I expect them any moment. 
He comes to ask for Clara's hand. 

Mrs. Hill 

(manifesting great surprise). 

You don't say, Mr. Knox. I am sur- 
prised, of course agreeably. I fancied Clara's 
thoughts were somewhere else. 



Mr. Knox. 
Somewhere else? 

Mrs. Hill 

(somewhat embarrassed). 

Oh, I simply mean, I did not think she 
was contemplating marriage. Is it a settled 
affair? 

Mr. Knox. 

Not positively, but as good as settled. 
You see Clara made his acquaintance during 
a summer vacation two years ago, at his 
father's house. 

Mrs. Hill. 
She has not seen him since? 

Mr. Knox. 

No, but they have been corresponding all 
the time. 

Mrs. Hill. 

And you are intimately acquainted with 
the family? 



Mr. Knox. 

Of course I am. Do you think I would 
allow my daughter to cultivate the friendship 
of a young man whose family 1 was not 
thoroughly acquainted with? The young man 
is just my choice. 

Mrs. Hill. 

Your choice? Are you sure that she has 
chosen him too? 

Mr. Knox. 

I never asked her; but I pride myself on 
being a pretty good judge of a woman's 
heart. Besides, Clara will always do what her 
father thinks is right for her to do. There 
always was strict discipline in our family. 

Mrs. Hill. 

So you don't believe in a woman's free 
will? 

Mr. Knox. 

It is all nonsense, this modem free will. 
A father knows what is for the good of his 
daughter better than she does. 



Mrs. Hill. 
It sounds like a Chinese doctrine. 

Mr. Knox. 

Why, they have just the selfsame idea in 
France. I thought you were aware of that. 
Now, mind you, I do not compel my daughter 
against her own free will. 

Mrs Hill. 

But you try to influence her, using your 
paternal authority. Is it not so? 

Mr. Knox. 

Certainly. I will make use of all my 
influence to link her fate to the person whom 
I consider will make her happy. 

Mrs. Hill. 

And that person will arrive to-day, you 
say? 



Mr. Knox. 

I expect him and his father here any time 
this afternoon, and as soon as the matter is 
settled to the satisfaction of all, we are going 
to celebrate. Now, Mrs. Hill, I want your 
presence on that occasion, and I hope you will 
change your prograuL 

Mrs. Hill. 

You are very kind and considerate, 
Mr. Knox, but I don't know that I can. I 
have made arrangements with Kay, the artist, 
to accompany me. 

Mr. Knox 

(greatly surprised). 

With Ray, the artist! who is just about 
finishing my portrait? 

Mrs. Hill. 

Yes, Mr. Knox, I have fallen so much in 
love — 

Mr. Knox 

(interrupting). 

Fallen in love! — 



Mrs. Hill. 

Fallen in love with the picture, which I 
think is so superbly painted that I have 
invited him to my house that he may try his 
art on my modest features. 

Mr. Knox. 

Why not stay here and have your portrait 
painted? 

Mrs. Hill. 

As I told you before I have some business 
of importance to transact. Besides, I think 
a portrait is always most successful when 
painted in our daily surroundings. 

Ray 

(a young man about twenty-five, dressed in a fashionable 
suit of modest gray color, appearing in the door). 

Do I intrude? 

Mr. Knox. 
Not at all; we were just talking about you.. 

Ray. 

How complimentary. 



Mrs. Hill. 

Yes, it was complimentary. We admired 
your art and skill. 

Bay 

(bowing- to Mrs. Hill). 

When the subject is so charming from 
an artistic point of view as you the work is 
relatively easy. 

Mr. Knox 

(bowing). 

How flattering? 

Mrs. Hill. 

And how charming from an artistic point 
of view. 

Mr. Knox. 

But Ray, my portrait is not quite finished, 

is it? 

Ray. 

It lacks only a finishing touch, that is all. 



Mrs. Hill. 

You just came for the purpose of giving 
it the finishing touch? 

Ray. 
I am not in a hurry. 

Mrs. Hill. 

I think I shall leave the artist and his sub- 
ject undisturbed for a little while. 

Mr. Knox. 
Oh. no, don't leave us. 

Ray. 
Your presence may inspire the artist. 

Mrs. Hill. 

And perhaps be instrumental in disturb- 
ing the likeness. 

Mr. Knox. 

No, no, your presence is always productive 
of harmony. 



10 



Mrs. Hill. 
You seem, both of you, to be at home in 

the art of gallantry. (in the doorway with a nod to 

Ray.) I must nevertheless leave you — much 
to your sorrow. 

Mr. Knox. 

Is not she a charming woman? 

Ray. 

Indeed she is, I shall be glad to fasten her 
features to the canvas. 

Mr. Knox. 

I am sorry she is going to leave us. 

Ray. 

I understand she is going to return very 
soon. 

Mr. Knox. 

Did she tell you so? 

Ray. 

She asked me to finish her portrait in the 



shortest possible time. 



11 



Mr. Knox 

(inquisitively). 

What in the deuce has prompted her to 
have her portrait painted. She is not rich, do 
you know? 

Ray. 

No, indeed, I don't know, nor do I care. 
I understand she has a dear friend to whom 
she is going to present it. 

Mr. Knox. 

Say, Ray, let me have a confidential talk 
with you. First, let me tell you that I am 
a sort of a guardian for her. 

Ray. 

You are? 

Mr. Knox. 

Yes; that is, I am her adviser, and I wish 
to keep the little her husband left her together. 
She is not exactly a spendthrift, but you 
know women will — 



12 

Ray. 

Yes, I know they will often spend money 
lavishly, particularly when they are in love 
with a man. 

Mr. Knox. 

I did not say she was in love. 

Ray. 
Bat you kind of suspect it. 

Mr. Knox. 

Well, I do not know what to think. I will 
be frank with you. It seems to me that you 
have paid her so much attention during her 
stay in my house, and that she, on the other 
side, has reciprocated with so much polite- 
ness — 

Ray. 

I have treated her as I have treated hun- 
dreds of beautiful women. 

Mr. Knox. 

Hundreds of them! 



13 

Ray. 
Yes! with politeness and respect. 

Mr. Knox. 
And you treat all beautiful womon alike '* 

Ray. 
With the exception of one. 

Mr. Knox 

(putting his hands on Ray's shoulders and looking in his 
eyes). 

And how do you treat that one exception? 

Ray. 

As a man will treat the woman of his 
choice. 

Mr. Knox 

(with a joyful voice). 

Oh, I see, you are engaged, if not married? 

Ray. 
Only engaged. 



14 

Mr. Knox. 

And — who is — 

Kay. 

Don't ask any leading question. Our 
engagement is a secret. 

Mr. Knox. 

Well, well, I declare — of course she is 
young, beautiful and rich. 

Kay. 
I don't know how rich she is. 

Mr. Knox. 

Her parents, as a matter of course, are 
aware of your engagement. 

Kay. 

Her mother is dead, her father is ignorant 
of our relation. 

Mr. Knox. 

But don't you think he ought to know? 



15 

Rat. 
We will tell him in due time. 

Mr. Knox. 
Excuse me, Ray, for meddling in your 
affairs; but it seems to me that that time is 
due long ago. Of course, I will admit there 
may be exceptions. But it is none of my busi- 
ness; so we will drop the subject. 

Ray 

(with a knowing wink). 

Yes, and talk about Mrs. Hill? 

Mr. Knox. 
Not necessarily, but if you wish to, all 
right. I feel greatly delighted in her com- 
pany and would like her to stay a few days 

more. 

Ray. 

If the question is not a leading one, may 
I ask you for what object? 

Mr. Knox. 

I would like her to be present at a little 
formal festival — the engagement of my 
daughter. 



16 

Ray 

(embarrassed). 

Which one? 

Mr. Knox. 

Which one? I have only one, Ray, you 
ought to know. 

Ray. 

Certainly, I was a little absent-minded. 
To whom? 

Mr. Knox. 

I would rather not give any names until 
the engagement is an accomplished fact. 

Ray 

(nervously, looking at his watch). 

Excuse me, Mr. Knox, but I will have to 
leave you. 

Mr. Knox. 

Before you go, let me ask you a favor. 
Try to persuade Mrs. Hill to prolong her visit 
a few days. You need not tell her you are 
engaged. ~ 



17 



Ray. 

I was thinking of telling her before she 
and I start for her home. 

Mr. Knox 

(jokingly). 

Then you had better tell her that you are 
married. 

Ray. 

Why? 

Mr. Knox. 
She may be nursing some false illusions. 

Ray 

(laughing). 

Oh, no, there is no danger, I certainly 
have never given her any reasons. 

Mr. Knox. 

I don't doubt it my young friend, but you 
see a woman is after all but a woman. 



18 



Ray. 



That is good logic. But she is in my 
opinion more sensible than the majority of 
her sex. 

Mr. Knox. 

You are right; I think so myself. I would 
not have spoken to you as I have, if I were 
not her guardian. 

Ray. 

I thank you for your confidence, and you 
can be sure I shall never betray it. 

Mr. Knox. 

Well, Ray, if I can help you in any way 
with your own affairs, don't forget to let me 
know ; I may perhaps be able to assist you to 
bring about a reconciliation. 

Ray. 

You mean when my father-in-law turns 
me and my intended out of the house? 

Mr. Knox. 

Oh, there is no danger, I hope, fathers 
always forgive their daughters. 



19 



Ray 

(taking his hand). 

I thank you. 1 will stay here a few days 
longer, and I hope to persuade Mrs. Hill to 
do the same. 

(In leaving through the middle door, Clara enters from 
the door to the right. She walks toward her father, who 
presses a kiss on her forehead. She is a blonde of a very 
attractive appearance, about twenty years old. Her dress 
is fashionable, of light colors matched with good taste). 

Mr. Knox. 
Darling, I was just going to send for you. 

Clara. 

I have prepared everything for the recep- 
tion of our guests. Each may have his own 
room, — now Mrs. Hill is going home. 

Mr. Knox. 

I hardly think she is going for a day or 
two. 

Clara. 

She just told me that she could not pos- 
sibly stay any longer. 



20 

Mr Knox. 

I have asked her to remain and be present 
at our little festival. 

Clara. 

Oh, father, I wish you would not mention 
that matter again. 

Mr. Knox. 

Dear child, what are you saying! Have 
you not, from the very moment you saw 
George, declared him to be a most admirable 
fellow? 

Clara. 

Yes, papa, I take him to be an unusually 
good-natured, industrious and well meaning 
man. 

Mr. Knox. 
What more do you want? 

Clara. 
I don't think I love him. 



21 



Mr. Knox 

(warmly). 

You don't think you love him! The real 
love always comes after marriage. I did not — 

Clara. 

Did you not love mother before you mar- 
ried her? - 

Mr. Knox. 

Certainly, certainly, my child, but not so 
much as after we had been married. 

* • 

Clara. 

But I don't love George at all, I only like 
him. 

Mr. Knox. 

Not at all! Did you not always think that 
the woman he married would be happy? 

Clara. 
I am still of that opinion. 



22 

Mr. Knox. 

Well, why not be that woman? 

Clara 

(deprecatingly). 

You don't want me to fall in love with all 
the men I like? 

Mr. Knox. 

Gracious, Clara, what do I hear? Have 
you a liking for many men? 

Clara. 
You know better, papa. 

Mr. Knox. 

I don't know anything. I am afraid you 
have absorbed some of these modern ideas 
from the young artist, Ray. But let me tell 
you, that fellow is as good as married already. 

Clara. 

Excuse me, father, from hearing any more 
of engagements and marriages. 



23 



Mr. Knox. 



I am sorry, very sorry, to hear you speak 
in this way, and I am sorry for George, who 
is coming here to day, full of hope and 
expectation of future happiness. 1 cannot 
compel you, of course not, but I want you to 
think the matter over. I am getting old, and 
I wish to see you well taken care of and happy 
before I close my eyes. If American girls 
would heed their parents a little more than 
they do, we would not have so much misery 
in married life. 



Clara. 

I know you mean well and have my wel- 
fare in view, but in this matter I ought to be 
left alone, and benefit or suffer by my own 
selection. We American girls may perhaps, 
be a little too romantic, but it is a thousand 
times better to live, if it is only one year, 
with a man whom you love, than to drag a 
whole life through with a man whom you can 
only honor for his honest intentions and good 
qualities. 



24 



Mr. Knox. 

To reason with you seems futile. But I 
feel George's presence will make you think 
otherwise. 

(The conversation is abruptly stopped by the entrance 
of Pratt. He is a man in the fifties, of light complexion, 
with thin hair, and a full beard. He carries a valise in each 
hand, and a cigar, not lighted, in his mouth. He stops a 
moment in Ihe doorway while Knox and Clara walk toward 
iiim, Knox with open arms). 

Pratt. 
Am I in the right place? 

Mr. Knox. 

Of course you are, my dear Pratt; wel- 
come to our house. 

Pratt. 

I had a hard time in findiDg you. 

Mr. Knox. 

I wrote you my address, — but where is 
George? 

Pratt. 

I expect he will soon be here. He must 
have missed my train. 



25 



Clara 

(helping Pratt to carry his things to a corner of the room). 

We did not expect you so soon Mr. Pratt. 
Father intended to meet you at the depot. 
You surprised us. 

Pratt 

(looking closely at Clara). 

Why, you have grown to be a beautiful 
little lady, since I saw you a few years ago. 
(To Knox) And you look well, too. You have 
grown quite stout. 

Mr. Knox. 

That is a sure indication that I am grow- 
ing older. Sit down, my friend, and make 
yourself at home. (To ciara) Tell Marie to 
prepare a little lunch. 

Clara 

(bowing). 

1 will. 

Mr. Knox 

(taking a seat opposite Pratt). 

Now, tell me how you are getting along? 



26 



Pratt. 

After a fashion, Knox. I have enough of 
worldly goods, but since my wife's death I 
nave felt very lonesome at times. 

Mr. Knox. 

That is just what is the matter with me, 
too. 

Pratt. 

When a man has been married once, it is 
hard for him to live the life of a bachelor. 



Mr. Knox. 

You are of the opinion he should marry 



again. 



Pratt. 



That is the only thing, Knox, the only 
thing. 

Mr. Knox. 

That is if his first wife is dead. 



27 



Pratt. 

Or his second wife, or his last wife for 
that matter. Of course, I have my son. 

Mr. Knox. 

Yes, and I have my daughter. Fortun- 
ately, I have found a most excellent house- 
keeper. 

Pratt. 

And I am just looking for one. But there 
is in fact no other consolation for a widower 
than to remarry. 

Mr. Knox. 

I am inclined to believe you are right, in 
fact I know you are. 

Pratt. 

The only consolation I got from our min- 
ister, when my wife died, was that she was 
better off. 



28 



Mk. Knox. 

It is funny, I had the same experience; 
that's the kind of a consolation that almost 
amounts to an insult. 

Pratt. 

Is it not? 

Mr. Knox. 

And if a man marries again, people will 
wonder if he really loved his deceased wife. 

Pratt. 

Yes, but we don't care for what people 
say or think. I loved my wife better at the 
close of her life than I did when we first 
married. 

Mr. Knox. 

I remember she was not exactly your 
choice. 

Pratt. 

No, I had chosen for myself, but, in 
obedience to my parents, I gave her up. 



29 

Mr. Knox. 

And what became of your first choice. 

Pratt. 

I understood she married and became very 
happy. 

Mr. Knox. 

I am glad to hear. 

Pratt. 

I hope so, at least. I have not heard of 
her for several years. And as to you, Knox, 
are you thinking of finding for yourself a 
better half % 

Mr. Knox. 

No, I will wait and see my daughter in 
harbor before I take any decided step. 

Pratt. 

She will soon be in harbor. George will 
take care of her. 

Mr. Knox. 

Is he still the same good fellow be used 
tobe« 



:jo 



Pratt. 

He is just as good as ever; a most remark- 
able boy. He is not like other young men of 
his age. He is always consulting me, even in 
the most trivial matters. Sometimes I think 
he is overdoing his confidence. A young man 
should have some secrets of his own. 







Mr. Knox. 






You 


are 


right. 


I shall be glad to 


see 


him 


again, 


and 


I hope 


he will fully win 


Cli 


ira's 


heart. 













Pratt. 

He is simply irresistible, Knox. 

(Marie, an elderly lady, enters with a bottle of wine 
and glasses on a tray. She is not noticed by Pratt, who is 
scanning a paper he has picked up. Knox pours wine into 
the glasses, and she is approaching Pratt), 

Mr. Knox. 

My friend, welcome to my humble abode. 
Let us drink to the success of our families 
and the realization of our plans. 

(In taking a glass Pratt discovers the presence of Marie. 
He looks perplexed, and drops the glass on the floor. She has 
hurriedly placed the tray on the table, and takes a step back- 
wards when she recognizes him. Pratt seems at loss to 
understand the situation, but after a few moments silence he 
regains his presence of mind). 



31 



Something has taken you very much by 
surprise. Is this not an unexpected meeting 
of two friends who have been parted many 



years? 



Pratt 

(somewhat recovered). 

It is indeed. 

Mr. Knox 

(to Marie). 

And you, Marie, you seem to have lost 
the power of speech from this great surprise. 

Marie. 
I can hardly believe my own eyes. 

Mr. Kkox 

(to Pratt). 

Would you like to enjoy this unexpected 
event without the presence of a third person? 

Pratt. 

If you don't object. 



32 



Mr. Knox 

(to Marie). 

A sudden surprise, I know, always affects 
the nerves of a woman, and makes her unable 
to attend to her work for a while. You will 
please entertain my friend, I shall withdraw 
to my library, and be ready to meet you both 
when lunch is ready. 

Pratt 

(after Knox has left). 

I can hardly collect my thoughts. Is it 
really you, Marie, my friend of former days? 

Marie. 

As sure as your name is George Pratt. 

Pratt. 
It is twenty years since 1 saw you. 

Marie. 

Yes, twenty long years have elapsed since 
you deceived me. 

Pratt 

(meekly). 

I was a young man then, Marie. 



33 

Marie. 

Bat old enough to know that you wronged 
me. 

Pratt. 

I obeyed the will of my parents. 

Marie. 

And sacrificed the happiness of a woman 
whose heart you besieged with your protesta- 
tions of faithfulness, and who was too willing 
to listen to your passionate but false assur- 
ances of eternal love. 

Pratt. 

You judge me too harshly — 

Marie. 

And you forsook me to marry the woman 
of your parents' choice. You lived happily 
— I suppose? 

Pratt. 

You are mistaken. Our life was not really 
happy, at least not at the beginning. She was, 
however, a good faithful woman. 



34 

Marie. 

Too good for you — 

Pratt. 

Perhaps you are right. As the years 
rolled by our friendship grew stronger, and 
when she died a few years ago, I felt the loss 
as keenly as any man under the circumstances. 

Marie. 
As any man feels the loss of a faithful dog. 

Pratt. 

You are too bitter, and you don't seem 
able to forget and forgive. 

Marie. 
I- have been hardened in the school of life. 

Pratt. 

I understand you married some time after 
we separated? 



35 



Marie. 

After our child had died and after having 
lived with my mother for two years in abject 
poverty I had an offer of marriage. 

Pratt. 
And you accepted it? 

Marie. 

I did; not to obey the will of my mother, 
but for the love of her, — to secure for her a 
more comfortable and peaceful existence. 

Pratt. 
And you learned to love that man? 

Marie. 
I lived up to our contract. 

Pratt. 
Contract? 



36 



Marie. 

I told him beforehand that there was no 
affinity between us. I did not conceal my past 
from him. I promised to be faithful, to take 
care of his interest, and to nurse him when he 
took sick. I fulfilled my obligation. I did my 
duty. 

Pratt. 

He is dead? 

Marie. 
He is. 

Pratt. 
And he was good to you? 

Marie. 

He was a man of a strong character, with 
an inborn sense of duty. He never deceived 
me, he was a righteous man. 

Pratt. 

He died a poor man, I expect, leaving you 
nothing so that you had to work for a liveli- 
hood. 



37 



Marie. 

He did not leave me a fortune, yet I might 
have got along by practising strict economy. 
But when mother died some years after I 
grew tired of living by myself. I longed for 
work which, I think, is the only solace for all 
the sorrows and trials of this life. 

Pratt 

(with emotion). 

You are a remarkable woman, Marie. 

Marie. 

Spare your compliments. 

Pratt. 

I mean what I say, and if there is any- 
thing I can do to atone for the guilt of my 
youth, I will be only too glad to do it. 

Marie. 

Is this meant for a proposal? 

Pratt. 

Not in the usual sense. Let us make a 
contract? 



38 

Marie. 

You mean one that is binding for both 
parties? 

Pratt 

(turning around, sees Knox opening the door to the library)* 

We are coming now, my friend. 

Mr. Knox. 

Suit yourself. 

(Pratt and Marie follow Knox. Ray, Clara and Mrs. Hill 
enter from the door to the right). 

Clara 

(to Ray). 

But would not a photograph serve the 
purpose just as well. 

Mrs Hill. 

I hardly think so; Mr. Artist, give us your 
opinion. 

Ray. 

Miss Clara does not seem to understand 
the problem of a portrait painter. We do not 



39 



copy nor do we act as a camera. We have to 
make a searching study and put our whole 
soul in our work. 

Clara. 

Tour soul in the features of your subject. 

Mks. Hill. 
He said his whole soul, Clara. 

Ray. 

To penetrate the individuality is our prob- 
lem, and if we do not succeed — well, our work 
is simply a failure. 

Clara. 

And does your subject sit perfectly still 
meanwhile? 

Ray. 

On the contrary. 

Mrs. Hill. 
Would you allow me to talk? 



40 



Ray. 

Certainly, I always converse with my sub- 
jects, I want them to be active and animated, 
nay, even excited. 

Clara. 
Even excited! 

Ray. 

1 study the inner life, the expressions of 
the eyes, the mouth, the carriage of the head, 
and all the peculiarities that make a per- 
sonality; and I try to produce the proper 
harmony in all the characteristics of my sub- 
ject. If successful, the portrait is perfect and 
not a momentary likeness with all that is 
implied in that word. 

Mrs. Hill. 

I shall be delighted to give you a sitting, 
if you only think you will succeed in finding 
the characteristics of my nature. 

Ray. 

There is no doubt as to that. I am already 
well prepared. 



41 



Mrs. Hill. 

I have some letters to write. To-morrow 
I will pack my trunk and return home. 

Ray. 

You promised to stay till the day after 
to-morrow. 

Mrs. Hill. 

I did, it is true. But remember, not one 
day longer. 

Clara 

(in the door looking after Mrs. Hill, who b as left the room). 

Ray, that woman is in love with you. 

Ray. 

Nonsense, what makes you think so? 

Clara. 

And you act as if you were in love with 
her. 

Ray 

(laughing). 

You are jealous, Clara. 



42 

Clara. 

I don't want you to travel with her, or to 
paint her portrait at her home. 

Ray. 
But how can I avoid it, it is my business. 

Clara. 
You may postpone it, 

Ray. 

How long? 

Clara. 
Until we are married. 

Ray. 

Married ! 

CLA.RA. 

Listen. We may expect George here any 
moment. 

Ray. 

The man your father wants you to marry? 



43 



Clara. 

Yes. He will speak to father and demand 
a final answer. I will refuse him and confess 
my love for you. 

Ray. 

And your father will tell me to leave his 
house. 

Clara. 

Exactly, and we will not see each other 
for a long time. Why not be married without 
delay? 

Ray. 

Without any further ceremony? 

Clara. 

I have a premonition, that if we are not 
married to-day, we will never be married. 

Ray. 

In the name of God, let us not delay it. 
But have you really the courage? 



44 

Clara. 
Love gives courage. 

Ray. 
I know, but — how can you manage it? 

Clara. 

A few minutes walk from here a justice 
of the peace has his office. 

Ray. 
Yes. 

Clara. 

You ask him to follow you. 

Ray. 
To this house? 

Clara. 
Yes. 

Ray. 
But suppose we are detected? 



45 



Clara. 

I will see that we are not. I will take the 
blame on myself. 

Ray. 
I don't fear the blame, but — 

Clara. 

Now or never. I cannot bear the thought 
of you putting your whole life and soul in 
studying the color of her eyes, the shape 
of her mouth, the curve of her neck and the 
color of her cheeks. 

Ray. 

But, my dear Clara, it is only profes- 
sionally. You must have confidence in me. 

Clara. 

I have. But I will secure you against tempta- 
tion. When we are married we can both visit 
her. You may carry on your work, while I 
am sitting admiringly by as a spectator. 



46 



Ray. 

Are you sure you have strength enough to 
take the consequence of a step that will bring 
forth the criticism of all whose opinion you 
hitherto have valued? 

Clara. 

I know I shall not be left alone. If my 
own strength should not suffice, you will help 
carry the burden of the odium you speak 
about. 

Ray. 

I certainly shall not shirk my part. 

Clara. 
Then let us take the decisive step. 

Ray. 



(Clara sits down with her head resting in her hand. She 
is awakened from her thoughts by the entrance of George, 
accompanied by Marie. George is a young- man of twenty- 
three, of a fine appearance, but with a rather sad expression. 
She rises apparently surprised, and walks toward him with 
her hand outstretched to welcome). 



47 

George. 
Good day, Miss Clara. 

Clara. 
Welcome, Mr. Pratt. 

George. 
Did I take you by surprise? 

Clara. 

I did not expect you just now, though I 
knew you were coming. 

George. 

You look so changed since I saw you a few 
years ago. 

Clara. 

So do you. If your coming had not been 
announced, I should hardly have recognized 
you. Your father is here. 

George. 
I expected to find him here. I was delayed 
and missed the first train. 



48 



Clara. 

Your father thought so. (to Marie). I sup- 
pose father and Mr. Pratt are in the dining 
room. 

Marie. 

They are just sitting down to the table. 

Clara 

(to George). 

We will go and join them. This way. 
(to Marie). Please take the gentleman's valise. 

(Ray followed by Lovejoy, the Justice of the Peace 
comes hurriedly into the room. Lovejoy is an elderly man 
with a clean shaven face. He is dressed in a dark suit,and has 
a ministerial appearance). 

Ray 

(looking around). 

I suppose she will be here in a second. 
Lovejoy 

(producing a marriage license, studies it). 

The clerk neglected to write the bride's 



49 

Ray. 

She is of legal age. 

Lovejoy. 

She must be, otherwise she could not have 
obtained the permit. 

Ray. 

Here She is. (to Clara, who comes from the adjoin- 
ing- room). Now, my dear, is the coast clear? 

Clara. 

They are all busy and will be so for the 
next half hour. Ask him how long it will take. 

Ray 

(to Lovejoy). 

How long will it take to perform the 
ceremony? 

Lovejoy. 

If you are ready now the whole affair will 
be over in a few minutes. 



50 

Clara. 
We are ready. 

Lovejoy. 
Please stand near to each other. (Ray and 

Clara take position in front of him). I See yOU have 

had no experience, (to Ray). Please take your 
place on the right side of the bride. Will you 
take this woman to be your lawfully wedded 
wife, to live with her, according to the ordin- 
ance of God, in the holy bonds of matrimony, 
to cherish her, love her and honor her, and 
forsaking all others hold unto her as long as 
she lives? 

Ray. 
I will. 

Lovejoy 

(to Clara.) 

Will you take this man to be your lawfully 
wedded husband, to live with him, according 
to the ordinance of God, in the holy bonds of 
matrimony, to love him, honor, and obey 
him, and forsaking all others hold unto him 
as long as he shall live. 



I will. 



51 
Clara. 

Love.toy. 



Please join hands. By this joining of 
hands you take upon yourself the duties, 
obligations and responsibilities of husband and 
wife, and forasmuch as you have agreed 
together in the holy bonds of matrimony, 
I now by my authority of the law pronounce 

yOU husband and wife, (taking Ray's hand). I 

congratulate you. 



(He then takes Clara's hand, and without warning he 
presses a kiss upon her lips. She hurriedly frees her hand 
and takes a step backwards. Ray steps in between them). 



Ray. 

This forms a part of the ceremony? 

Lovejoy 

(calmly). 

It is one of my prerogatives in conjunc- 
tion with the performance of the ceremony. 
An unwritten law. 



52 

Ray. 
That you always make use of? 

Love joy. 
It is optional with me. 

Ray 

(good naturedly). 

I suppose it depends upon the age and the 
looks of the bride. 

Lovejoy. 
Exactly. 

Ray 

(handing him an envelope). 

Will you do us a favor now? 

Lovejoy. 
I am at your service. 

Ray. 
Please disappear as soon as possible. 



53 



LOVEJOY. 

Good-bye, and good luck to both of you. 

(Ray follows him to the door; turning around he em- 
braces and kisses Clara). 

Ray. 

And now, Clara! 

Clara. 
Now our troubles commence. 



SECOND ACT. 

(The scenery same as first act.) 
Ray, with pallet and brush in hand putting the finishing 
touches on Knox's picture. Clara walking nervously up and 
down. 

Clara. 
We have sinned, Ray. 

Ray. 
Then let us repent, and ask forgiveness. 

Clara. 

Father will never forgive us. I have de- 
ceived him. 

Ray. 

Yes he will. It is the duty of all fathers 
to forgive their children. 

Clara 

(stopping in front of Ray). 

Is it possible that we are now husband 
and wife? 



55 



Ray 

(putting pallet and brush aside produces the certificate of 
marriage and reads) : 

This is to certify that Ray Hamilton and 
Clara Knox were united in the holy* bonds of 
matrimony by me the undersigned, a Justice 
of the Peace, Augustus Lovejoy. 

Clara 

(taking his hand). 

Is it not your duty as my husband to 
carry the tidings to my father? 

Ray. 

I think, my dear, that you, his daughter, 
ought to be the first to approach him with 
the news of the happy event. 

Clara. 
You ought to make the first step. 

Ray. 

Well, I will, but let us wait, at least until 
I have finished his portrait. 



56 

Clara. 
Why wait, Ray? 

Ray. 

It is rather a delicate affair to ask three- 
hundred dollars of one's father-in-law. And 
money I must have, particularly now, as I 
have to provide for a family. 

Clara. 

Gracious, Ray! don't ask money of father, 
I have some money of my own. 

Ray. 

Just as you please, my dear little wife. 
You seem to have lost courage. Why be 
despondent ? After a gray and cloudy morn- 
ing often follows a clear and bright noon with 
sunshine for all. 

Clara 

(after a pause). 

Ray, why did we act so rashly ? 



Ray. 

Would you rather have waited and per- 
haps have been compelled to marry the man 
your father intended to foist upon you % 
Besides, you originated the plan of our im- 
mediate marriage. 

Clara. 
I am not upbraiding you, I am the guilty 

party (with a determined toss of her head). I will 

see father now without delay. I will confess 
our crime. 

Ray. 
Crime! 

Clara. 

I will tell him that it was T who urged 
you to do what we did. 

Ray. 
Thanks. 

Clara. 

And on my knees I will ask his forgive- 
ness. 



58 



Ray. 

And you will get it just as easy as the 
prodigal son when he returned from his 
escapades. 

Clara. 

But if his wounded pride should prove 
stronger than his paternal love, if he should 
turn me out from his house cursing the day 
I was born, and disown me — 

Ray. 

Oh, Clara, don't darken the day that ought 
to be the happiest in our lives with pictures 
of such sombre colors. I am your husband, 
I will protect you. 

Clara. 

Come, Ray, come, let us make a clean 
breast of it all. The sooner it is over the 

better for all parties (opening the door to the library). 

He is not there. 

Ray. 
We will find him — soon enough. 



59 

Clara. 

I cannot find him too soon — I hear his 
voice. 

Ray. 

And I hear the steps of the man he has 
chosen to be your father-in-law. 

(Both step into the room to the right. Knox and Pratt 
appear from the opposite room). 

Knox. 

I understand you, I understand you per- 
fectly well. 

Pratt. 
And what do you think ? 

Knox. 

I cannot give any advice in so delicate an 
affair. Let your conscience dictate to you. 

Pratt. 

I commence to believe in the laws of 
retribution, 



60 



Knox. 



I always did. Of course, I do not know, 
nor do I wish to know, about what you call 
the dark spot of your life. But if you think 
you have found the means bj- which to atone 
for an unjust act, do not hesitate. Have you 
spoken to her about it? 

Pratt. 
Not about my final decision. 

Knox. 

You ought to, and I will give you a 
chance. I have a few errands to do. I will 
send her in here, and you may dispose of the 
question in the meantime. 

Pratt. 
1 accept your offer. 

(Knox leaves to the right, Clara enters from the left). 

Clara. 
Is papa here, Mr. Pratt % 



61 

Pratt. 

No, he just stepped into that room. 

Clara. 
I would very much like to see him. 

Pratt. 

He said he was going out for a walk. 

Clara. 

In here yOU Say (pointing to the door to the right). 

Pratt. 
Yes, 

(Clara goes to the right, Ray enters from the left). 

Ray. 

Is my — is Miss Clara here? 

Pratt. 
She just stepped in there. 

Ray. 

Thank you. 



62 

Pratt. 
By the way, have you seen my son? 

Ray. 

Yes, he just went to mail a letter. 

Pratt. 
Thank you. 

Ray. 
In there, you say 

(pointing to the right.) 

Pratt 

Yes. 

Ray, 
Then I will find her. 

(goes to the right, Marie enters from the left). 

Marie. 

You wish to see me, I was told by Mr 
Knox. 



63 



Pratt. 

Come, let us be seated — if convenient. — 
When I, after more than a score of years, 
met you here in this house, I recognized you 
directly. I will candidly tell you, I never 
quite forgot you. 

Marie. 

A bad conscience has a good memory. 

Pratt. 

You must not be so bitter. I admit that I 
wronged you, but besides being young I was 
under the strong influence of a strict father 
and a loving mother. 

Marie. 

Do you not think that your strict father 
and loving mother would have told you that 
you were bound by your honor to marry the 
young and innocent girl, whom you had 
ruined, if they had only known? 

Pratt. 

Perhaps they would, though I am not sure, 
for parents usually take a different view of 



64 



such relations. As to myself, I had not the 
courage to tell them. 

Marie. 

And what do you want to see me about 
now? 

Pratt. 

It is my wish to make it easy for you — 
and for myself. 

Marie. 
You wish a reconciliation? 

Pratt. 

I want more than that. I want not only to 
impress upon your mind that you have awak- 
ened my conscience, but I also intend to sub- 
stantiate my words by acts. 

Marie. 

I am not so hardened but that I may for- 
give you, though, God knows, I have suffered 
during all these years. As to your last 
proposition — I need no support. 



65 

Pratt. 
I wish to make a contract with you. 

Marie. 
A contract? 

Pratt. 

Yes. I am rich, I have only one child, a 
grown-up son. I will ask you to divide with 
me, I don't expect you to love me, but if you 
will move into my house and take care of my 
household, I will divide with you. 

Marie. 
You want me to be your housekeeper? 

Pratt. 

No, I want you to go through the cere- 
mony that makes husband and wife of us. 

Marie. 
You want me to marry you? 

Pratt. 

I do. 



66 



Marie. 

The event of the last hour has unsettled 
my mind, I am not in a condition to take any 
decisive step. Ever since we met again my 
nerves have been in an uproar. Give me time 
before I answer. 

Pratt. 

There is no reason why you should hesitate. 
I will use my best efforts to make life as 
tolerable for you as possible. By and by I 
will win your friendship and you will see 
clearer and clearer that we are all products of 
circumstances and subject to the changes of 
law. 

Marie 

(with suppressed emotion). 

I believe that your intention is honest, but 
would it not be better for you also to think 
the matter over before you take any decisive 
step. 

Pratt 

(still with her hand in his). 

I have no higher ambition now than im- 
proving the condition of the life of a woman, 
whom I once loved but — 



67 
Knox 

(suddenly returning). 

Well, well, how do you want the cards 
printed? 

Pratt. 
We don't want any cards at all. 

Knox. 
Only a notice in the paper? 

Pratt. 
We don't want it mentioned at all. 

Knox. 
A secret engagement? 

Pratt. 
Of a very short duration. 

Knox. 

No engagement at all? 



Pratt. 

An immediate wedding (to Marie). We in- 
tend to go home tonight after the neces- 
sary formalities are over. 

Knox. 

And you and your wife will be traveling. 
(To Marie.) Remember, you are still in my em- 
ploy. Please prepare an elegant supper with 

COVerS for six (noticing Ray, who just steps in from 
the door to the right, he calls to Marie, who is leaving), 

make it seven! 

Ray. 

That is a lucky number. 

Knox. 
Do you believe in lucky numbers ? 

Ray. 

No; alJ numbers are lucky except back 
numbers. (To Pratt.) And how do you enjoy 
your visit to our town ? 



69 



Pratt. 

Very well, indeed, but I will soon have to 
leave. 

Ray. 

\ So soon; but your son will stay a little 
longer, I expect. 

Knox. 

Yes, of course, he will. 

Pratt. 
I cannot tell; I wonder where he is. 

Ray. 

I just saw him. He is studying the family 
album . 

Knox. 

All by himself? 

Ray. 

No. Miss Clara and Mrs. Hill are assist- 
ing him. 



70 
Knox 

(to Pratt). 

Shall I send for a minister ? 

Pratt. 
No, my friend, this time a justice will do. 

Knox. 
You want him today ? 

Pratt. 

As soon as he is at leisure. Will you 
allow me the use of your room on this occa- 
sion? 

Knox. 

My whole house is at your disposal. 

Pratt. 
You are very kind. 

Knox. 
You say you want him immediately ? 

Pratt. 
If possible. 



71 



Knox. 

I will ask Ray to go and get him. (to Ray, 

who has been reading- a paper). Are yOU acquainted 

with Lovejoy, the Justice of the Peace? 
Ray 

(with a frightened expression). 

I ought to know him. 

Knox. 

You ought to know him! 1 hope you never 
paid a fine in his office? 

Ray. 
Oh no; I have met the gentleman before 
in a business way. 

Knox. 

I will give you a few lines to him, 
and if he should not be in, just deliver this 
note, (writing). There is no secret about this 
matter, still I do not want you to mention it 
for a few hours. 

Pratt. 

We want him to perform a ceremony. 



72 

Ray. 
A ceremony? 

Knox. 

Yes, a wedding ceremony. 

Ray. 
Here, in this house? 

Knox. 

Here is the letter, Ray. I have given him 
the particulars as to names. 

Ray 

(inquisitively). 

And the ages? 

Knox. 
They are both of legal age. 

Pratt. 
That is twenty-one and eighteen. 

Ray. 
May I ask who is the happy couple? 



7:] 



Knox. 



We will not tell you just now; be gone. 

(Clara and George appear just as Ray is leaving; he looks 
around for a moment, but Clara pretends not to see him). 



Knox 

(to Pratt). 

Had we not better leave them alone ? 

Pratt 
I think we ought to. 

Knox 

(to Clara). 

I shall soon be back again. Mr. Pratt has 
some important business on hand. I have 
promised him my assistance. We will soon 
be back. 

George 

(iooking around). 

You cannot escape me now, Miss Clara. 

Clara. 
I have not tried to escape you. 



74 



George. 

You have avoided my company ever since 
I stepped over the threshold of this house. 

Clara. 

I may perhaps, not have treated you so 
courteously as I ought to treat a guest in my 
father's house, but I am nervous and ill at 

ease. 

George. 

Something is resting heavily on your 
mind. 

Clara. 

You seem to be a good observer. 

George. 

Let there be a clear understanding as to 
the relation between us. 

Clara. 

I desire this very much myself. But 
where shall we commence? 



75 



George. 

At the beginning. Two years ago when 
you and your father visited our home, we 
two were left to ourselves. You remember 
how we romped around in the woods, prattling 
and singing as young people only can. I was 
just twenty and you sixteen. 

Clara. 

No, I was seventeen, and a very foolish 
girl for my age. 

George. 

No, you were not foolish bat girlish, and 
I too was boyish. We fell in love with each 
other. 

Clara. 

At least we thought so. 

George. 

We did not make any secret of our feel- 
ings toward each other. We announced to 
the world at large that we were deeply in 
love. In the presence of our parents I 
pressed a kiss upon your lips, and they en- 



76 



joyed the idea of our engagement so well 
that they gave our pictures to the papers of 
our town, which gave us a full column of 
congratulations. 

Clara. 

And I felt proud of you, George, and of 
myself. Never had a young man spoken to 
me as you did. You approached me in a 
manner that reminded me of the characters I 
had met in novels. 

George. 

I felt not less proud than you. When I 
introduced you in my circle of friends and 
heard the remarks about your noble features 
my ambition grew stronger and stronger, and 
nothing but the most empty flattery about 
you could gratify my boyish vanity. 

Clara. 

You remember when we parted, how we 
promised to love each other to the end of all 
our days, and your father called me the little 
princess, who should fall heir to his castle. 



77 



George. 

We promised each other in the most 
solemn manner to keep up a steady corre- 
spondence, and we kept our word. 

Clara. 

Yes, I wrote twice a week to you and 
four times a week received a letter in return. 

George. 

But after awhile our correspondence grew 
less voluminous. 

Clara. 

I know; I commenced getting tired of 
letter writing. It seemed to me the contents 
of your letters grew more and more insignifi- 
cant. Always the same assurances of your 
unbounded admiration for my eyes and hair. 



George. 

M last I did not know what to write, and 
I told my father. He dictated to me and 1 
wrote like an automaton. 



78 



Clara, 

I had the same experience, but my father 
told me I had to keep up the correspondence; 
it was my duty. 

George. 

And my father reminded me of the sacred 
promise to you, and of the fearful conse- 
quences of not being faithful to my first 
love. 

Clara. 

But it was no love, George. Am I not 
right; tell me honestly, am I not right? 

George. 

Perhaps not in the proper sense of the 
term. 

Clara. 

It was not love in any sense of the word. 

George. 
Most people would call it so. 



7!) 



Clara. 

But it was not, George. There never 
was any affinity between you and me. 

George. 

None of us understood from the begin- 
ning what that word implies. If we had not 
been separated so long, if I had seen you 
more frequently, the harmony in my thoughts 
at least might not have been disturbed. Be- 
sides, an unmerciful fate stepped in between 
you and me. 

Clara. 

I don't quite understand you, and I have 
no right to penetrate what seems to be the 
secret of your life. 

George. 

It is not necessary that you should under- 
stand me just now. When we two parted 
the last time we promised to love each other 
for all time to come. Neither of us intended 
to break our promises, but we were lacking a 
clear understanding of responsibility. Now 



80 



that we meet again, we find that we have 
both changed, and that we did not have the 
courage to say so. 

Clara. 

We have both been under the influence of 
paternal authority. 

George. 

Perhaps you more than I. I believe I 
might have won you if I had only possessed 
some moral strength. It is now a great con- 
solation to me to know that you did not 
fasten your future hope to me. 

Clara. 

You have grown to be a man. Your 
candid talk bears witness of your manhood. 
We will not question each other too inquisi- 
tively, but let us form a friendship that will 
last. 

George. 

Be careful about your promises, Clara. 
Remember that friendship scorns the base 
accusations of a slanderous world. 



81 



Clara. 

I may have to ask your assistance in my 
own defense. 

George. 

I shall never fail to respond. Give me 
your hand, Clara, and allow me to seal our 

friendship (Pressing a kiss upon her forehead. Knox 
appears during the latter part of the conversation in the 
door to the left, and is about to step hack, when Clara dis- 
covers him. He moves his hand as if he did not wish to 
disturb them, and retires. Simultaneously Ray and Love- 
joy appear on the scene). 

Ray 

(to Clara!. 

Don't be alarmed ; it is only I. 

Clara. 
I am not alarmed at all (To George). Allow 
me to introduce to you Mr. Ray, a friend of 
our family, an artist of the modern school. 
(To Ray). Mr. George Pratt, a friend of my 
girlhood, a son of the gentleman who arrived 
this morning. 

Ray. 

I am glad to meet you. Miss Knox has 
often spoken of you in the most unmistakable 
terms. 



82 



George. 

We were just refreshing our memories 
with stories from our childhood. 

Lovejoy 

(aside to Ray). 

A nice kind of refreshment. 
Kay 

(to George.) 

A most enjoyable pastime, indeed, par- 
ticularly when our memories are sweet and 
bright. 

George. 



And the gentleman there? 



Ray. 



Oh, I beg your pardon, this gentleman is 
Mr. Lovejoy, a friend of mine, not exactly 
from boyhood, but a good friend, neverthe- 
less; a jurist of many years' experience. 

Lovejoy. 
My young friend here is a great joker. 



83 

George. 
You are practicing in the higher courts. 

Lovejoy. 
I don't practice at all. 

George. 
I understand, you are retired. 

Clara 

(interrupting). 

Ought we not go and see our parents. 

George. 
As you like. 

Clara 

(aside to Ray). 

What brings him here? 

Ray. 

Business, my darling. But what brings 
this fellow in such close contact with you? 

Clara. 

It was nothing but a spontaneous expres- 
sion of his sincere friendship for me. 



84 



Ray. 



Perhaps justified by some old, unwritten 
prerogatives of his. 

Clara. 

Don't be alarmed. I will explain all to 
you later. (To George.) Well, we had better 
leave now. 

George. 

I am ready (offering his arm to Ciara, who courte- 
ously accepts it, both disappear). 

LOVEJOY. 

It seems to me I have seen that lady be- 
fore. 

Ray. 

Your memory serves you right. 

Lovejoy. 
Is she not your wife? 

Ray. 

You told me so a few hours ago. 



85 

Lovejoy. 

Is he the fellow who was your rival be- 
fore you were married? 

Ray. 

Don't you think he looks very much like a 
rival after I am married? There is no doubt 
as to my being married, is there, judge? 

Lovejoy. 
A ceremony has been performed. 

Ray. 
And that ends it? 

Lovejoy. 

Not necessarily. 

Ray. 

Please explain yourself a little more def- 
initely. 

Lovejoy. 

Let me first ask you, where do you live? 

Ray. 

A few blocks from here. 



LOVEJOY. 

I will ask you the same question but in 
another form. Where do you sleep? 

Ray. 
Where I live. 

Lovejoy. 
And where does she live? 

Ray. 

You mean where she sleeps? 

Lovejoy. 
Now you understand me. 

Ray. 

She sleeps in her room in this house. 

Lovejoy. 

That is a rather dangerous predicament 
that you ought to alter as soon as possible. 

Ray. 
I don't understand you. 



87 



LOVEJOY. 

I will explain. There is a paragraph on 
our statute book setting forth that without 
dwelling together there is no consummation 
of a marriage. 

Ray. 

Oh, what nonsense. I have read about 
marriage performances by judges of the 
higher courts between men who were sent to 
the penitentiary and innocent women. 

Lovejoy. 

That is true where both parties are will- 
ing to stand by the contract, but where one 
party is inclined to be contrary, the marriage, 
so called, is void. 

Ray 

(laughing). 

I thank you, learned Judge, for your 
valuable information, but in my case yon 
may rest assured that there is no danger. 

Lovejoy. 

I hope so; in fact, I feel convinced that 
there is no danger; still, it is always a 



good thing to be posted. But where is Mr. 
Knox? 

Ray 

(pointing toward Knox, who enters from his library). 

There he is coming. 

Knox. 

You are a little earlier than I expected, 
Judge. The couple, however, will soon be 
ready. Please step into my library for a 
little while. (To Ray). And I want to see you 
for a moment, if }^ou please. 

Ray. 
I am at your service. 

Knox. 

I am going to have a little party here to- 
night, and I ask you to assist in the prepara- 
tions. 

Ray. 

I wish, Mr. Knox, you would give me a 
few moments for an explanation of my own 
affairs. 



89 



Knox. 

My dear Ray, I have an appointment in a 
few moments with my daughter who insists 
upon giving me some information of great 
importance (with a smile). Do you understand? 

Ray. 

I commence to understand and of course, 
your daughter has the preference. 

Knox. 

I want you to superintend the arrange- 
ments. There is a list of the wine I want for 
the table. If my choice is not in accordance 
with good taste or custom you are free to 
make the necessary change. Please hand my 
order to my wine merchant. Here is his 
card. 

Ray. 

Yes. But 

Knox. 

I also want to make use of your artistic 
taste regarding the floral decorations for the 
table, and so on. 



90 

Ray. 
And as to my own affairs? 

Knox. 

I will attend to them as soon as I have 
finished what I have on hand now. In a few 
moments we will have a wedding — Mr. Pratt 
and my housekeeper, Miss Marie. 

Ray. 
I understand. 

Knox. 

I wish you to be present as one of the 
witnesses. 



I will. 



Ray. 



Knox. 



And when you get time some time to-day 
I want you to take my portrait — this work 
of art — and, having carefully wrapped it 
up, carry it along when you and Mrs. Hill 
leave. 



91 

Ray. 
But I may not accompany Mrs. Hill. 

Knox. 

You may not ? 

Ray. 
It all depends upon my wife. 

Knox 

(with an expression of astonishment). 

Your wife! You are married! To the 
girl you spoke about? 

Ray. 
To the self -same girl. 

Knox. 

I must declare you are a wonderful fellow. 
Let me congratulate you. Say, Ray, I am 
longing to have you tell me all the details of 
the affair. 

Ray. 

I am anxious to tell you right now. 



t~-r 



92 

Knox. 

No, not now, Ray — I must go — Married ! 
I am brimful of secrets. This is a happy 
house. Love in each corner, and secret, ro- 
mantic love at that. 

Mrs. Hill 

(enters with a bouquet of flowers in her hand). 

I hope I am in time. 

Knox. 

Certainly you are. You will be kind 
enough to assist our friend Ray. 

Mrs. Hill. 
Is he initiated into the secret? 

Knox. 

Yes, and he has some secrets of his own. 

(turning in the door, to Ray.) Bring your wife along 

to-night, don't fail. 

Mrs. Hill. 
Did I hear right? 



93 

Ray. 
I cannot deny it. 

Mrs. Hill. 
But why did you make a secret of it? 

Ray. 
I never intended to. 

Mrs. Hill. 

And may I ask how long have you been 
married? 

Ray. 

Not quite a day. 

Mrs. Hill. 
And Mr. Knox knows your wife? 

Ray. 
Indeed he does. 

Mrs. Hill. 
1 wonder if I don't know her? 



94 

Ray. 

Certainly you do. 

Mrs. Hill. 
Then I shall ask no more questions. 

Ray. 

You seem to possess the gift of divination. 

Mrs. Hill. 

We women may not be so logical as you 
men, but we have in return a much keener 
sight. 

Ray. 

And you can tell my wife's name? 

Mrs. Hill. 
Clara. Am I right? 

Ray. 
You are. 

Mrs. Hill. 

But — why — why did Mr. Knox ask the 
presence of your wife, his own daughter, at 



95 



the party to-night, knowing that she is here in 
the house? 

Ray. 

He does not know that my wife is his 
daughter. 

Mrs. Hill. 

Good gracious! Mr. Ray, what do you 
tell me? 

Ray. 
The truth, Mrs. Hill. 

Mrs. Hill 

(in an upbraiding tone). 

Why did you not tell Mr. Knox? 

Ray. 

I was urging him to listen to me, just be- 
fore you appeared, but he would not. 

Mrs. Hill. 
It will be a terrible blow to Mr. Knox. 

Ray. 
1 thank you. 



96 

Mrs. Hill. 
Oh, don't misunderstand me. 

Ray. 

I understand what you mean. I admit 
we should have acted somewhat differently, 
but our union is now an accomplished fact. 
We are willing to ask forgiveness, but if we 
do not succeed, we will have to live without 
it. After all, Mrs. Hill, this is strictly a 
family affair. 

Mrs. Hill. 

1 beg your pardon for interfering. I 
have certainly sufficient to do in minding my 
own affairs. It is interest for the welfare of 
Mr. Knox that makes me forget myself. 

Ray. 

I believe you, and I am satisfied he is not 
less interested in your welfare. He just gave 
me the order to wrap up the portrait and take 
it to your home. 



97 



Mrs. Hill 

(gladly surprised). 

Is it possible? Under the circumstances 
I suppose I will have to carry it myself. 

Ray. 
I do not see why. 

Mrs. Hill. 
Will you accompany me? 

Ray. 
Certainly — and perhaps my wife also; 

Mrs. Hill. 

You shall both be welcome, and I hope it 
will be agreeable to Mr. Knox, also. 



(Knox enters, followed by Pratt in a Prince Albert coat 
and a white tie, and Marie in a dark dress. Knox opens the 
door to the library, beckoning Lovejoy to step out). 



Knox 

(to Ray). 

Was Clara here, just now? 



98 



Mrs. Hill. 

She went out a little while ago with Mr. 
George. 

Knox. 

Well, Judge, allow me to introduce you 
to my old friend Mr. Pratt and Miss Marie— 

Lovejoy. 
I have the name on the license. 

Knox. 

That is true. I hope you will execute 
your work with neatness and despatch, unit- 
ing them in the holy bonds of matrimony. 

Lovejoy. 

I am glad to meet you all, ladies and gen- 
tlemen, and I hope to tie a knot that will 
never break. (To Pratt and Marie). Please come 

this Way. (The two place themselves in front of Love- 
joy, who produces the license from his pocket, unfolds it and 
hands it to Pratt for inspection). 

Lovejoy. 
The names are correctly spelled? 



Pratt. 
They are. 

Lovejoy 

(to Pratt). 

Will you take this woman to be your 
wedded wife, to live with her according to 
the ordinance of God in the holy bonds of 
matrimony, to cherish her, love her and 
honor her, and forsaking all others, hold unto 
her as long as she shall live? 

Pkatt. 
I will. 

Lovejoy 

(to Marie). 

Will you take this man to be your lawful 
husband, to live with him according to the 
ordinance of God, to love him, honor him, 
and obey him, and forsaking all others, hold 
unto him as long as he shall live? 

Marie. 
I will try. 

LofC 



100 
LOVEJOY. 

I beg your pardon — 

Marie. 
I will try. That is all I will promise. 

(Knox whispers in Lovejoy's ear). 
LOVEJOY. 

Please join hands. By this joining of 
hands you take upon yourselves the duties, 
obligations and responsibilities of husband 
and wife, and forasmuch as you have agreed 
together in the holy bonds of matrimony in 
the presence of these witnesses, I do now, by 
authority of the law, pronounce you husband 
and wife. 

Knox 

(to Pratt). 

Allow me to extend to you on this solemn 
occasion my honest and cordial congratula- 
tions. I never had a more sincere friend 
than you, and I have none but good wishes 
for you and your wife. (To Marie) You have 



101 



been a most excellent housekeeper, and I do 
not doubt but that you will make a most ex- 
cellent wife. May you both be happy and 
contented, and may no disturbing element 

darken your days. (Ray and Mrs. Hill join in the 
general congratulations. Lovejoy folds the license and puts 
it in his inside pocket with an envelope that Pratt hands 
him). 

Ray. * 
You have forgotten something, Judge. 

Lovejoy. 
What is that? 

Ray. 

Your prerogative. 

Lovejoy. 

I did not forget it. I simply did not 
make any use of it. You remember, I told 
you it was optional with me. 

Ray. 
You are right. It was I who forgot. 



102 



LOVEJOY. 

Prerogatives should always be used with 
great discretion. 

Ray. 

It is true. Circumstances alter many a 
case. 

Knox. 

I hope that you all will accept my in- 
vitation to drink to the health of the married 
couple. 

Lovejoy. 

You put that as a motion? 

Knox. 
Just as you please. 

Ray. 
I second the motion. 

Knox. 

All in favor of the motion please signify 
by saying aye. 



103 

All. 
Aye. 

Knox. 

Contrary — The ayes have it. (Opening the 
door to the right.) This way, if you please. 

Ray 

(to Mrs. Hill). 

I wish that invitation was extended to me. 

Mrs. Hill. 

Let us work with the next invitation in 
view. 

Curtain. 



THIRD ACT. 



A large library in Knox's house. The furniture is covered 
with leather. On the middle of the floor a table with green 
cloth. Books and papers are scattered in picturesque disor- 
der. A revolving book-case near the table and a large arm 
chair on each side of it. On the walls pictures of American 
and foreign authors. To the left a mantle with small statues 
of famous poets and composers, and a door leading to the 
sitting room. In the background a folding door, to the right 
of which is a large window. A student lamp with a green 
shade is burning. The moon is shining, throwing a mellow 
light into the room. 



Pratt 

(to Marie, who is sealing a letter). 

To whom are you writing ? 

Marie. 

I have announced our marriage to a dis- 
tant relation of mine, tlje only one left of my 
family. I wish you would tell your son be- 
fore we leave this house. I don't like the 
idea of keeping it secret. 



105 



Pratt. 

I thought it would be time enough when 
we get home. 

Marie. 

You men have always such queer notions 
in regard to secrets. I hope that we two 
shall conceal nothing from each other. 

Pratt. 

You shall have my confidence in all mat- 
ters. 

Marie. 

I don't want it in all matters — don't 
promise too much. 

Pratt. 

I mean in all matters pertaining to our 
family affairs. 

(Enter a messenger ooy with a note). 

Boy. 
Is this where Mr. Pratt lives? 



106 

Pratt. 
I am Mr. Pratt. What do you want? 

Boy. 

I have a message for you. Please give 
me receipt. — Thanks. 

Pratt. 

(Reading the message, looks at Marie. He is about to put it 
in his pocket, when he suddenly hesitates and unfolds it). 

This is a telegraphic message from our 
town. 

Marie. 

Business, I suppose? 

Pratt. 



N — o, it is not business. It must be a 
Marie. 



misunderstanding. 



May I read it? 

Pratt 

(nervously). 

Well, yes — certainly — certainly — if you 



wish so. 



107 



Makie 

(reading- aloud). 

"Dear George: Come home as soon as 
possible. I cannot be without you any 
longer. It is dreadful to be alone. Tell the 
truth. Mary." — Do you know any person 
by that name? 

Pratt. 

Do I know any person by that name? I 
should like to see the man that does not 
know a Mary. But this message is not 
for me. 

Marie. 
What is your son's name? 

Pratt. 

Just like mine, only he signs himself 
George Pratt, Junior. 

Marie. 

Oh, in love matters there is no senior or 
junior. Where is he now? 



108 

Pratt. 
I expect him here any moment. 

Marie. * 

I think I will pack our trunks. I have 
an idea that we will leave this house sooner 
than we intended. 

Pratt. 
I think so myself. 

(In leaving she meets George, who deposits a valise at 
the entrance. He looks sad and uneasy and does not seem 
to notice Marie.) 

George. 
Are you alone, father? 

Pratt. 

Yes, all alone. I just received a mes- 
sage. I suppose it is for you. I opened it — 

by a mistake. (Handing the message to him.) 

George. 
Did you read it? 



109 

Pratt. 
I did — but I don't understand it. 

George 

(reading). 

It is plain enough. 

Pratt. 

The words are plain enough to under- 
stand if I only had the key. Who is that 
girl Mary? 

George. 

She is not a girl, father. 

Pratt. 

So much worse if she is a married 
woman. 

George. 

She is a married woman. 

Pratt. 

A married woman, sending love messages 
to a young man visiting a highly respectable 



110 



family with the intention of asking the hand 
of an innocent girl. Don't you think it the 
highest degree of impropriety? 

Geokge 

(with some difficulty). 

I will tell you the truth, father. That 
married woman is — my wife! 

Pratt 

(who has been seated, jumps up suddenly and walks the 
floor in great excitement). 

Your wife! God Almighty, what a blow! 
I took you to be an honest man, George. 
You have been my pride. Your happiness 
was pretty nearly my only aim in life. 
Married. You married! Kepeat it once 
more — is it so — and to a woman I never saw? 
Perhaps unworthy of stepping over the 
threshold of a decent family. How could 
you have the heart to strike such a blow, and 
why did you not tell me? And the innocent 
Clara, what will she say; and her noble 
father — what will he think? What a shame 
what a scandal; what a misfortune! 



Ill 



George. 

You have good reason to blame me. I 
ought not to have kept my marriage a secret. 
I confess my weakness. I lacked the courage 
necessary to tell you. In regard to Miss 
Clara, she and I agreed upon the most im- 
portant point — we were never in real love 
with each other. 

Pratt. 
Did you tell her you are married? 

George. 

No, I did not get a chance — we were sur- 
prised by the sudden appearance of Mr. 
Knox. 

Pratt. 

And who is the girl you married? 

George. 

She comes from a highly respectable 
family. 

Pratt. 

Do I know her parents? 



112 

George. 
You do not. 

Pratt 

(suddenly, as if inspired by an idea). 

George, there is something you conceal 
from me. 

George 

(hesitating). 

What more do you want to know? 

Pratt. 
The motives for your marriage. 

George. 

Is it necessary that there should be other 
motives besides the usual ones? 

Pratt. 

In your case there is. You never hitherto 
concealed anything from your father. You 
sometimes opened your heart on matters I 
thought you had better have kept to your- 
self (with emphasis). You married that girl be- 
cause you thought your honor was at stake. 



113 



Geoege. 

Yes, I thought I was bound by my 
honor. 

Pratt. 

You did not at first think of marrying 
her, but when you discovered the conse- 
quences of your intimacy you made up your 
mind to stand by her. 

George. 

We were both responsible. I felt 1 had 
to shoulder my share of the responsibility. 

Pratt 

(in a low voice). 

It is nemesis. Slow but sure is its work. 
It is my own history retold, and yet not 
half so bad (suddenly). We must leave this 
house immediately — you, I, and 

George. 
And who ? 

Pratt. 

My wife. 



114 

George. 



You married 



Pratt. 
Since a few hours. 

George. 
To whom ? 

Pratt. 
To Marie. 

George. 
Mr. Knox's housekeeper. 

Pratt. 
My inclination from my early youth. 

George. 
There is a romance in this union. 

Pratt. 
I will tell you when we reach home. 



115 



George. 



You did not contemplate marriage until 
you saw her ? 

Pratt. 
I did not expect to find her here. 

George. 

You married in secret, father. You did 
not think it worth while to let me know. 

Pratt. 

It was Mr. Knox's scheme to have my 
marriage announced at the same time we 
could publicly announce your engagement to 
Clara. 

George. 

I think you are right. We must leave 
this house as soon as possible. I will try to 
find Mr. Knox and bid him good-bye. I 

Wonder if he is in here (In opening the door he 
greets Ray who steps out with an easel and picture carefully 

wrapped). Is not Mr. Knox in there ? 



116 

Ray. 

No, he is in the other room with Miss 
Clara and Mrs. Hill. 

Pratt 

(to George). 

There is a.fellow, who better than any- 
body else may prepare Mr. Knox for what is 
coming. Let Ray assist you — my courage 
commences to weaken. (To Ray) You will 
excuse me, Mr. Ray. 

Ray. 
Certainly. 

George. 
What have you got there ? (Pointing to the 

picture which Ray still holds in his hands). 

Ray. 

A most precious article — a picture of an 
individual to whom I am greatly indebted 
and who, on the other hand, is indebted to me. 
I can not, however, show it to you; you see 
it is wrapped for a journey. 



117 



George. 

I don't want you to, I wish to ask a favor 
of you. 

Ray. 

I will be glad to be of service to you. 

George. 

I understand you stand high in the esti- 
mation of Mr. Knox. 

Ray. 

He has not told me so. On the contrary, 
I know he suspects me of being a libertine; 
not because he has any tangible reason but 
because I am an artist. 

George. 
That is impossible. 

Ray. 

It is nevertheless so. When I grow warm 
in my explanation of the nude in art, he ac- 
cuses me of a tendency to immorality. In 
his opinion we artists are like so many bees, 



118 



sipping honey now from this, now from that 
flower. But what do you want me to do ? 

George. 

I just received a message from home, 
asking me to return without delay. I have 
to take the train that leaves here in half an 
hour, and I don't want to disturb him now 
he is engaged. 

Ray. 

You received a message from your home ? 

George. 
Yes ; from my wife. 

Ray 

(dropping the picture on the floor). 

You are married — a real married man 
with a real wife — and perhaps 

George. 
No, not yet. 

Ray. 

I must declare this is astonishing news. 
You kept your marriage secret — am I right? 



119 

George. 
You are. 

Ray. 

But did you not come here to offer your 
hand to Miss Clara, to whom you were going 
to be enorafired in earnest? 



George. 
I did not come with any such intent. 

Kay. 
What a fool I have been. 

George. 
YOU? 

Ray. 

Oh, I mean I am situated just like you. 

George. 

You are married also, and nobody knows 
anything about it? 

Ray. 
I hardly know it myself. 



120 

George. 
Don't you live with your wife? 

Ray. 

To tell you the honest truth, I don't. So 
far, my marriage has been a failure. 

George. 

1 feel sorry for you. 

Ray. 

I thank you. I am certainly deserving 
of your sympathy. 

George. 

But to come to my own affair. Will you 
kindly tell Mr. Knox that a message from 
my wife made it necessary for me to go home 
immediately. 

Ray. 

Does he know you are married? 

George. 

No, and unless my father tells him I will 
ask you to do it. 



121 

Ray. 
So your father knows? 

Geokge. 
Not until half an hour ago. 

Ray. 

But why don't you see Mr. Knox your- 
self ? It won't take long to break the news. 

George. 

I will honestly tell you, I am somewhat 
of a coward. 

Ray. 

You have a frail conscience. 

George. 

We all have more or less. I think it is a 
hereditary disease. 

Ray. 

You mean your father inherited it from 
his ancestors, and that he handed the legacy 
to you. 



122 

Geokge. 
Exactly. 

Kay. 

I never thought a bad conscience could be 
handed down as an heirloom, but it sounds 
very plausible. I commence to believe that 
my own family conscience has had some 
weak spots. 

Geokge 

(looking at his watch). 

My time is up. Now please inform Mr. 
Knox of the reason for my sudden departure 
(handing- him his card). When you and your wife 
have nowhere else to spend a few weeks, come 
to my home and we will give you a royal 
welcome. 

Ray. 

I will accept your invitation, and I thank 
you also on behalf of my wife. You know, 
commune naufragium dulce est. 

Geokge. 

That is, to suffer in company makes our 
pangs more endurable. 



123 



Ray. 
I see you have not forgotten your classics. 

(Placing the picture on the easel he picks up George's knap- 
sack). 

George. 
No, let me carry it myself. 

Ray. 

By no means. I want to practice a little 
gallantry; they say a married man is so apt 
to forget it. 

Geokge. 
Well, if you insist. 

Ray. 

I do, and I wish you to remember me to 
your wife. 

George. 

And I hope you will not forget to bring 
your wife my best wishes for her future — are 
you ready. 



124 

Kay. 
I am. 

(He and George leave through the middle door. Knox, 
greatly excited, enters from the door to the left, followed by 
Clara). 

Knox. 

It is an imposition of the gravest kind. 
You must not ask me to forgive you. 

Clara 

(her arms stretched out towards him). 

I know I have done wrong, dear father; 
I followed the inclination of my heart. You 
will forgive me, I beseech you. I beg you, 
father, don't judge me too hard. 

Knox. 

Never! Only think of it — you, my only 
child, to whose happiness in life I have pinned 
my dearest hope — educated in a rich home — 
surrounded by everything that tends to pro- 
duce happiness and morality — engaged to an 
honorable young man of respectable parents 
—suffering him to come to your father's 
home as a suitor sure of your heart and hand 
— and you, in the meantime, marrying a fel- 



125 



low of perhaps questionable character. Did 
it ever occur to you that such behavior is 
unworthy of a girl who has been brought up 
in a clean and unpolluted atmosphere? 

Clara. 

You punish me too hard, father. Remem- 
ber that I told you over and over again that 
I would not marry a man I did not love. 

Knox. 

And to reach the climax, you, a married 
woman, embrace and kiss this young, estima- 
ble man, and allow him to kiss you. 

Clara. 
It is a misunderstanding. 

Knox. 
Did I not see it with my own eyes? 

Clara. 

If you only would allow me to — if you 
only would listen — 



126 



Knox. 

Listen! I need not hear any more — I 
know too much already — Clara, you cannot 
stay in this house any longer. 

Clara. 

I will leave it, but I beseech you to hear 
me before I go. 

Knox. 

What can you say in your own defense. 
Accuse me, I suppose. 

Clara. 

I believe you are not without blame. A 
mere child you took me to your friend's 
home, and you and he made the bargain that 
George and I should be united for life. 
Neither he nor I knew what we were doing 
when we promised to love each other and 
never part. You never would notice that he 
and I grew more and more estranged as time 
went on, we both felt it. 

Knox. 

He never told you so. 



127 



Clara. 

He did, and I returned his upright admis- 
sion. 

Knox. 

Did you also tell him you were married ? 

Clara. 
No — 1 did not tell him that. 

Knox 

(excited). 

Of course you did not tell him, because 
you are not honest, but false and untrue, 
mendacious and full of deceit — what a shame 
for our family; what a scandal; what glori- 
ous food for newspaper notoriety. You are 
blind, the man of your choice is nothing but 
an adventurer, an artist, so-called, with a 
predeliction for the nude in his art; a man 
without a conscience; a conceited fool who 
thinks every woman must adore him. 

Clara. 

You are excited father, and hardly know 
what you are saying. I am to blame for our 



128 



sudden marriage, not he. The thought of 
being disposed of in the same manner as 
merchants dispose of their goods, was repul- 
sive to me. 

Knox 

(with feeling). 

I wished to see you fortified against the 
perils of life. I wanted to see you safe and 
in harbor that I might die in the hope that 
your life would be a happy one. 

Clara. 

You have been a good father but when 
you undertake to direct my life-scheme you 
claimed more right than your paternal author- 
ity entitles you to. . 

Entrance of Pratt and Marie, both in traveling costumes. 
Clara has seated herself; Knox stands with bis back turned 
to her.) 

Pratt. 
Well, my friend, here we are to bid you 
good-bye. 

Knox. 
I will not ask you to stay any longer. As 
things have turned out, I think we both need 
rest. 



129 



Pratt. 



I never expected such a result. I pre 
sume you know it all. 



Knox 

3 sach 
their parents. 



I do — it is sad when children go back on 



Pratt. 

I wonder if our children have got the 
right kind of education. 

Knox. 

That is hard to decide now, when it is too 
late. Anyhow, we have not deserved to be 
deceived by them. 

Pratt. 

I agree with you there — I feel the sting 
of humiliation like you. I am sorry for you, 
dear friend, sorry for Clara and sorry for 
George. 

Marie 

(to Clara.) 

Don't you be sorry^ Miss Clara. A man 



130 



or a woman should always marry the person 
he or she loves, if it is possible. 

Clara. 
God bless you for those words. 

Marie. 

A young woman may, in time, learn to 
respect her husband, but she cannot be 
brought to love him. (To Knox.) I bid you 
good-bye, Mr. Knox. You must try to get 
over the disappointment. You are not used 
to the reverses of life, but none or few of us 
escape them, and least when we have chil- 
dren. 

Knox. 

Good-bye, Marie. (To Pratt.) I understand 
George has left. Tell him that I feel sorry 
for him but hope that he will find a remedy 
for the adversities of life. 

Pratt. 

You are a noble man, Knox. You have 
learned the great art, to forget and to for- 



131 



give. Good-bye, my friend, and good-bye, 
Miss Clara. 

Marie 

(to Clara.) 

Remember that you will always find a wel- 
come in our home. 

Clara sees Pratt and Marie out. and meets Ray in the 
doorway smiling and lively. Knox, as if suddenly awakened, 
walks toward him with uplifted hand. 

Ray 

(to Clara). 

I suppose it is all over. In fact, your 
father's attitude tells me that he has listened 
with patience to your confession and has 
given you his paternal blessing. 

Knox. 

You don't seem to have any scruples. 
Your manner seems to indicate a lightness of 
heart and mind, as if you had done a noble 
act. 

Ray. 

Mr. Knox, I will join my wife and ask 
your forgiveness I admit we both acted 



132 



contrary to what is customary with people 
of our social standing, but that is all I can 
do, and if you don't think that is enough I 
will try to get along without your blessing. 

Knox. 

Your haughty manners are very offensive 
to my taste. No man of honor would act as 
you did. 



Oh, Ray ! 



Clara. 



Ray. 



If you were not the father of my wife I 
would teach you a lesson you would not 
forget. Do you think it is honorable for a 
father to dispose of his daughter's future in 
the manner you undertook to do it? 

Knox. 

It is a father's duty to see that his child 
does not fall into the hands of a man of 
dubious character. 



133 



Ray. 

You are right. But why in the name of 
justice did you not do it ? Why did you try 
to throw her into the arms of a man whose 
life is not without blame ? 

Knox. 

Not a word against George. He is an 
honorable man, whose whole life has been 
devoted to love and obedience to his parents. 

Ray.- 

A man may be a highly honorable man 
even though he be married. 

Clara. 

George married ! I now understand the 
secret he alluded to. 

Knox. 
It is a base calumniation. I don't believe it. 

Ray. 
You don't comprehend how the man you 



134 



had selected for your daughter could marry 
anybody else without your consent. 

Knox. 

Your sarcastic language ill befits a man 
who prides himself on being refined. 

Ray. 

Come, Clara, let us leave this house. 

Knox. 

She will not follow you until she has satis- 
fied herself that you told the truth. 

Ray. 

You have a poor opinion of your daughter. 

Clara. 

I believe him, father, and I feel my confi- 
dence in him will never be shaken. 

Knox 

(to both, who are leaving-). 

Remember, you made your own choice. 



135 



LOVEJOY 

(who has entered, looks around to be sure that nobody is 
listening). 

Are you at leisure? 

Knox. 

What can I do for you? 

Lovejoy. 

Oh, you can do nothing for me. I have 
come to fulfill a duty toward myself. 

Knox. 
I don't understand. 

Lovejoy. 

You see, when the young couple, who 
just left, asked me to keep their marriage a 
secret, I promised to be silent for twelve 

hours (looking at his watch). It IS now just eight 

hours since I performed the ceremony. 

Knox. 

So you married them ? 



136 



LOVEJOY. 



I had the pleasure, and I feel bound by 
my honor and conscience to inform you, as a 
friend of mine, of the accomplished fact. 

Knox. 

Don't you think it would have been more 
in accordance with propriety and good taste, 
not to speak of friendship, if you had not 
made such a promise. 

Lovejoy. 

Knox, it is one of my peculiarities not to 
stand in the way of a young couple. 

Knox. 

You mean it is your business to marry 
people, and that business goes before friend- 
ship. 

Lovejoy. 

You are in an irritated frame of mind, 
just now, or you would not speak as you do. 



137 



I don't marry people for what there is in it. 
Many a couple never paid me any fees, but 
it always does my old heart good to see 
young people happy. 

Knox. 

And you don't think it the parents' busi- 
ness to know anything about their children's 
happiness. 

Lovejoy. 

I will not say that. But what can I do. 
If I refuse my service, some other justice will 
render it. May I congratulate you now? 

Knox. 
I wish you would let me alone. 

Lovejoy. 

Well, then I will go. I hope however, 
that you are impressed with my sincerity. I 
have kept the promise I made myself, in fact, 
I still have a few hours to my credit. 



138 



Knox. 
Good-bye, Judge. 

Lovejoy. 

Only one thing before I leave. Please 
remember me to the elderly couple I married 
with your consent. 

In leaving, he meets Mrs. Hill, to whom he makes a deep 
how. She is dressed in a traveling costume and with a large 
brimmed hat. She holds a valise in her hand, and stops a 
few moments at the door unobserved by Knox who is sitting 
in deep meditation. 

Mrs. Hill. 
Mr. Knox. 

Knox 

(discovering- her gets up and walks toward her). 

Mrs. Hill. 

Mrs. Hill. 

Now, I must be going. Any attempt to 
keep me longer would be futile. 

Knox. 
I shall not make such an attempt now. 



139 

Mrs. Hill. 
You are discouraged, I notice. 

Knox. 

What else" could I be. My dearest hope 
has suffered a severe shipwreck. 1 have lost 
my daughter. 

Mrs. Hill. 

You only think so. You take too gloomy 
a view of the situation. The main thing is 
that she feels happy. 

Knox. 

She may feel so just now, but what 
about the future? 

Mrs. Hill. 

I don't see why the future should not 
look bright for her. She has an excellent 
husband. 

Knox. 
Do you really mean that? 



140 



Mrs. Hill. 

Indeed, I do. He is young, talented, 
ambitious — just the right kind of a man for 
a young girl like your daughter. Mr. Knox, 
if I were young I believe I could have 
fallen in love with him. 

Knox. 

I fail to see his attractions. 

Mrs. Hill. 
That is because you are prejudiced. 

Knox 

(after a pause). 

I see you are ready for the journey. 
When are you going to leave? 

Mrs. Hill. 
In half an hour we are all going. 

Knox. 
We? 



141 



Mrs. Hill. 

Yes, the young couple have accepted my 
invitation to spend their honeymoon in my 
house. Would not you like to keep us com- 
pany? 

Knox. 
I — do you really mean that? 

Mrs. Hill. 

Do I mean it? Certainly I do. Why 
not? I will try my utmost to make you feel 
at home — and you will have the great 
pleasure of seeing Ray fastening my feat- 
ures to the canvas, as he expresses it. 

Knox. 

Are you still bent upon having your 
portrait painted — and by him? 

Mrs. Hill. 

Yes, now more than ever. I admire his 
ability and elegance of execution. You look 
so astonished, Mr. Knox. You think I am 



142 



extravagant ; but let me tell you, the por- 
trait is intended for a dear friend of mine. 

Knox. 

I remember you told me it was for one of 
your dearest friends. 

Mes. Hill 
Yes, if he will accept it. 

Knox. 
If he will accept it? 

Mrs. Hill. 

You see, he is a man of rather peculiar 
notions of what is proper. He is of the old 
school of thinking. In accordance with his 
ideas he may not deem it right for a woman 
to make presents of that nature. (Looking at 

the easel with the wrapped up portrait.) But where is 

your picture? 

Knox 

(pointing to the easel). 

I suppose it is contained in this package. 



143 



I gave it in charge of Ray to take it to a 
friend of mine, if she was willing to accept it. 

Mrs. Hill. 
Why, dear, should she not accept it. 

Knox. 

You see she is of the modern school and 
may not think it worth while to get a present 
representing such an antiquated fellow like 
me. Of course, you are not inquisitive, and 
yet you may feel some interest in knowing 
whom it is intended for. 

Mrs. Hill. 
I don't deny it. 

Knox. 

Well, the lady friend whom I wish to 
accept the gift in the same spirit as I give it, 
is — you. 

Mrs. Hill 

(apparently surprised). 

Oh, Mr. Knox. You can not imagine 
how grateful I feel towards you. Perhaps 



144 



you now understand why I appreciate Ray as 
a great artist. May I ask you, when did you 
make up your mind to make me this glorious 
present. 

Knox. 

You want the truth, I suppose. 

Mrs. Hill. 
Nothing but the truth. 

Knox. 

It was from the beginning intended for 
you. 

Mrs. Hill 

(clapping ber hands). 

Oh, how charming. 

Knox. 
But now allow me one question. 

Mrs. Hill. 

Yes. 



145 



Knox 

Who is going to be the fortunate possessor 
of your picture ? 

Mks. Hill. 
You want the truth. 

Knox. 

Nothing else. 

Mrs. Hill. 

Well, when my portrait is finished it will 
belong to you, if you will accept it. 

Knox 

(taking her hand). 

Allow me to thank you for your sympa- 
thetic attention. You know I appreciate it. 

Mrs. Hill. 

Now, Mr. Knox, be good and join me. I 
wish you to superintend the execution of my 
portrait, so that you may have me just as 
you like. 



146 



Knox. 

You want a reconciliation effected in your 
home? 

Mrs. Hill. 

Yes, a general shaking of hands over the 
whole line. 

Knox. 

And when your picture is finished I shall 
return to my lonesome house. 

Mrs. Hill 

(fetching Knox's overcoat and hat from a chair in the corner 
of the room,). 

You think a good deal of the future. 



Knox. 

I don't think more of my own than I do 
of yours. 

Mrs. Hill. 

Please turn rOUDd (helping him to put on his coat). 

We will not just now arrange for the future. 



147 



Knox. 

But we will hope for a happy future for 
both of us. Am I right? 

Mrs. Hill. 

May I take your arm? 

(Knox puts out the lamp; the light of the moon makes 
everything discernible. Both walk out and the sound of the 
key turned round is heard). 

Knox 

(outside). 

Will you please take the key in your pos- 
session? 

Mrs. Hill. 
I? 

Knox. 

Yes; take it as a symbol. 

Mrs. Hill. 
A symbol of what? 

Knox. 
Of our future relation. 

Curtain. 



JUN 13 1904 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

MIIH 

017 400 152 2 



